she educated herself about coal- fired plants and emissions and commissioned three studies. one of the most important studies was from a local scientist who disproved what the company was saying about something called downwash. instead of pollutant particle going up into the atmosphere, the scientists found they were actually coming down into the neighborhood. >> it proved that more than 1,200 hours a year this plant was emitting sulfur dioxide beyond the national standard. >> reporter: the downwash was due in part to the short stacks required because the plant is in the flight path of national airport. a penn state study matched the company's coal to that gray residue and a harvard study connected residents' health problems to pollutants spewed out by the plant. >> we can all take a deep breath. >> reporter: but until the last 15,000 tons of coal is gone elizabeth chimento will be keeping track. peggy fox, 9 news now. >> clean-up will take about 18 months at the plant. most of genon's 120 workers have transferred or retired and there's no word on what's next for that valuab